Ranoidea chloris
| Red-eyed tree frog | |
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| Species: | L. chloris
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| Binomial name | |
| Litoria chloris | |
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| Distribution of the Red-eyed Tree Frog | |
- For other species commonly known as the Red-eyed Tree Frog, see Red-eyed Tree Frog
Litoria chloris, also commonly known as the Red-eyed Tree Frog, is a species of tree frog native to eastern Australia; ranging from north of Sydney to Proserpine in mid-northern Queensland.
Description
The Red-eyed Tree Frog is a uniform bright green above, occasionally with yellow spots, and bright yellow on the underside. The front side of the arms and legs are green, while the underside is yellow or white. The thighs may be blue/purple to blue/black in colour in adults. It has golden eyes at the centre, which change to red towards the edge of the eye. The intensity of the eye colour is variable between frogs. The tympanum is visible and a mature frog reaches a size of 65 millimetres.
The tadpoles are generally grey or brown, and can have gold pigment along the side.
A similar species, the Orange-thighed Frog (Litoria xantheroma) is found north of Proserpine and has orange on the back of the thighs.
 
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| The above photos illustrate the variation within the species. The frog on the left exhibits a darker green dorsal surface with yellow spots, and grey towards the iris. The frog on the right has a plain, bright green dorsal surface with bright red eyes. |
Ecology and behaviour
This species of frog is associated with rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest and woodland. The call is several long, moaning "aaa-rk", followed by soft trills. Males call and breeding takes place mostly after rain in temporary ponds, roadside ditches, dams, ponds and creek offshoots were the water is not flowing.
The skin secretions of the red-eyed tree frog have been found to destroy HIV, without harming healthy T-cells. The peptides which destroy HIV are the same as those of White's Tree Frog, but the Red-eyed Tree Frog produces it in larger quantites.
References
- Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
- Cogger, H.G. 1979. Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. A. H. & A. W. REED PTY LTD ISBN 0-589-50108-9
- MacMillan, L. 2005. Frog secretions block HIV infections. Exploration, Vanderbilt University
- Frogs Australia Network -Frog call available here.